Disk cartridge, disk device and shutter opening/closing mechanism

ABSTRACT

A disk device  1  comprising a disk cartridge  3  and a disk  2  accommodated therein. The disk cartridge  3  includes a body case  11:  opened with a window for exposing a recording surface  5  of the disk  2;  and provided with a shutter body  25  to be moved in a manner capable of opening/closing the window. The body case  11  is provided with a rotating body  30  in a gear shape having an outer peripheral surface exposed to the exterior of the body case. Provided in a disk driving apparatus for recording a piece of information into or reproducing the information from the disk  2  are: a guiding rib; and an operation rack along the disk inserting direction. Upon insertion of the disk device  1  into the disk driving apparatus, the guiding rib causes rotation regulator  40  to rotate so that the rotation regulator  40  is disengaged from the rotating body  30  and the operation rack engages with the rotating body  30  to thereby rotate the rotating body  30,  thereby opening/closing the shutter body  25  via shutter opening/closing mechanism  35.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to: a disk cartridge capable ofrotatably accommodating a disk therein and of being loaded in a diskdriving apparatus for recording a piece of information into the disk andfor reproducing the piece of information recorded in the disk; a diskdevice comprising such a disk cartridge and a disk accommodated therein;and a shutter opening/closing mechanism for opening/closing a window forexposing a disk by moving a shutter.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] As conventional recording media, there have been widely utilized:disk cartridges removably accommodating disks therein such as CD-ROM's(Compact Disc Read Only Memory); and those disk devices such as MO(Magneto-Optical), FD (Floppy Disc: Trade Mark), MD (Mini Disk), whichinclude disk cartridges integrally and rotatably accommodating diskstherein. Known as these disk cartridges and disk devices are thosehaving structures such as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

[0005] The structure shown in FIG. 11 is a disk device 105 comprising: abody case 102 rotatably accommodating a disk 101 therein, and formedwith a window 103 for exposing a recording surface of the disk 101; anda shutter 104 moveably disposed on the body case so as to open/close thewindow. The shutter 104 of the disk device 105 is integrally providedwith a belt 106 in the moving direction of the shutter, and this belt106 has its tip end provided with a pawl portion 107. The shutter 104for opening the window 103 is further provided with a coil spring 108for influencing a counteracting force or pulling force onto the shutter104 in a direction opposite to the moving direction thereof.

[0006] The disk device 105 shown in FIG. 11 is constituted such thatthis disk device 105 is inserted into a disk driving apparatus (notshown) for recording and reproducing a piece of information into andfrom the disk 101, such that the pawl portion 107 of the belt 106 isengaged by a pin 110 protruded within a zone through which the diskdevice 105 placed in a transferring path is moved when the disk deviceis transferred up to a predetermined operational position bytransferring structure disposed in the disk driving apparatus. Thismoves the belt 106 against the pulling force of the coil spring 108dependently of the transferring movement of the disk device 105, so thatthe shutter 104 is moved to open the window 103 to thereby expose therecording surface of the disk 101 at the operational position.

[0007] However, the shutter 104 of the constitution shown in FIG. 11 ismoved to open the window 103 to thereby expose the recording surface ofthe disk 101 thereby requiring a pin-like constitution for moving thebelt 106 by engaging with the pawl portion 107 of the belt 106, so thatthis disk device is allowed to be utilized only in a particular diskdriving apparatus having such a pin-like component. Further, in such adisk driving apparatus constituted to directly load or place the diskdevice 105 into an operational position without any transferringstructure for transferring the disk device 105, there is required aconstitution for moving a pin-like component relative to the disk device105, thereby requiring a passage space for passing the pin-likecomponent and thus failing to downsize the disk driving apparatus.

[0008] Meantime, the structure shown in FIG. 12 is a disk device 125comprising: a body case 121 rotatably accommodating a disk (not shown)therein, and formed with a window 122 for exposing a recording surfaceof the disk; and a shutter 123 moveably disposed on the body case so asto open/close the window. The body case 121 of the disk device 125 isprovided with a concaved portion 127 for forming a stepped portionbetween the shutter 123 and body case 121, within a moving region of theshutter 123 and in a state where the shutter 123 closes the window 122.Provided within the body case 121 is counteracting structure (not shown)for influencing a pulling force onto the shutter 123 in a directionopposite to the moving direction thereof for opening the window 122.

[0009] Provided in a disk driving apparatus (not shown) for recordingand reproducing a piece of information into and from the recordingsurface of the disk of the disk device 125 are: an insertion opening forinserting the disk device 125 therethrough; an operational positioncommunicated with the insertion opening so as to record/reproduce theinformation; and a movement path for moving the disk device 125therethrough from the insertion opening toward the operational position.The disk driving apparatus is further provided with shutter driver 131for opening/closing the shutter 123 of the disk device 125 which ismoving through the movement path, to thereby open/close the window 122.This shutter driver 131 comprises: an arm portion 132 having one endrotatably disposed within the movement path, and the pivoted other end;a pin portion 133 disposed at the tip end or the one end of the armportion 132, so as to engage in the concaved portion 127 of the diskdevice 125 which moves through the movement path; and a coil spring 135for influencing a pulling force onto the arm portion 132 in a directionopposite to the rotating direction of the arm portion 132 which isrotated as the disk device 125 is moved to the operational position.

[0010] In the case where the disk device 125 is to be inserted into theinsertion opening of the disk driving apparatus, the concaved portion127 is engaged with the pin portion 133 of the shutter driver 131positioned in the movement path, so that the arm portion 132 is rotatedas the disk device 125 is moved. This rotational movement pushinglymoves the shutter 123, so that the window 122 is opened at theoperational position to thereby expose the recording surface of thedisk.

[0011] However, in the constitution shown in FIG. 12, the shutter 123 ismoved to open the window 122 to thereby expose the recording surface ofthe disk. This requires the shutter driver 131 having such a specificconstitution comprising the arm portion 132, which arm portion isrotatably disposed in the movement path of the disk device 125 and hasthe pin portion 133 to be engaged in the concaved portion 127 disposedin the disk device 125. Thus, the disk device can be utilizedexclusively in such a specific disk driving apparatus having the shutterdriver 131. Further, in such a disk driving apparatus constituted todirectly load the disk device 125 into an operational position withoutmoving the disk device 125, there is required a constitution forengaging the pin portion 133 into the concaved portion 127 and rotatingthe arm portion 132, thereby requiring a passage space for passingtherethrough the arm portion 132 and thus failing to downsize the diskdriving apparatus.

[0012] As described above, the scheme shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 requiresspecific constitutions for moving the shutters 104, 123, and is thusapplicable to only those disk driving apparatuses having specificconstitutions, thereby failing to improve versatility. Moreover, inthose disk driving apparatuses which directly load the disk devices 105,125 into operational positions, it is required to ensure passage spacesfor passing therethrough those components for moving the shutters 104,123, thereby also failing to downsize the disk driving apparatuses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] It is therefore a main object of the present invention to providea disk cartridge, a disk device and a shutter opening/closing mechanism,capable of avoiding a limitation to a single type of constitution foropening/closing a shutter, to thereby improve versatility and readilyfacilitate downsizing the disk driving apparatus.

[0014] The present invention provides a disk cartridge capable ofrotatably accommodating therein a disk so as to be loaded into a diskdriving apparatus for conducting at least one of operations forrecording a piece of information into the disk and reproducing theinformation recorded in the disk, the disk cartridge comprising: a bodycase capable of rotatably accommodating the disk therein; a windowopened in the body case so as to expose that surface of the accommodateddisk which is to be or has been recorded with the piece of information;a shutter provided in the body case in a manner capable ofopening/closing the window; a rotating body rotatably provided withinthe body case and including an outer peripheral surface exposed from thebody case so as to be contacted with and rotated by the disk drivingapparatus, in a state where the disk cartridge is loaded in the diskdriving apparatus or in the course of loading movement of the diskcartridge into the disk driving apparatus; and shutter driver providedwithin the body case and for moving the shutter by the rotation of therotating body to thereby open/close the window.

[0015] According to such a constitution, the body case capable ofrotatably accommodating the disk therein is opened with the window forexposing that surface of the disk which is to be or has been recordedwith the piece of information, and the shutter is provided in the mannercapable of opening/closing the window. Further, there are provided: therotating body provided within the body case and including the exposedouter peripheral surface, so as to be contacted with and rotated by thedisk driving apparatus, in a state where the disk cartridge is loaded inthe disk driving apparatus for recording a piece of information into orreproducing the information from the disk or in the course of loadingmovement of the disk cartridge into the disk driving apparatus; and theshutter driver for moving the shutter by the rotation of the rotatingbody to thereby open/close the window. This causes the rotating body tocontact with and to be rotated by the disk driving apparatus uponloading the disk cartridge into the disk driving apparatus or in theloaded state, and the rotation of the rotating body is transmitted tothe shutter through the shutter driver so as to move the shutter therebyopening/closing the window. This enables to open/close the shutter byany suitable constitution for rotating the rotating body in the courseof loading movement of the disk cartridge into the disk drivingapparatus or after loading, so that the constitution for opening/closingthe shutter is not limited thereby improving the versatility. It is alsopossible to exemplarily contact the rotating body with a wall surface inthe course of loading movement of the disk cartridge into the diskdriving apparatus, thereby readily downsizing the disk driving apparatuswhere the constitution for opening/closing the shutter can be omittedfrom the disk driving apparatus or realized by the simple structure.

[0016] In the disk cartridge of the present invention, it is desirablethat the rotating body comprises a gear.

[0017] According to such a constitution, the rotating body comprises thegear. This allows to readily utilize a general constitution adopting arack and pinion constitution for converting the rotation of the rotatingbody into the linear movement of the shutter. Further, the rotating bodycan be assuredly rotated such as by a gear or rack without slippage,thereby allowing to efficiently and assuredly open/close the shutter.

[0018] In the disk cartridge of the present invention, it is desirablethat the rotating body is disengageably contacted with and rotated byrotating structure provided in the disk driving apparatus.

[0019] According to such a constitution, the rotating structure providedin the disk driving apparatus disengageably contacts with and rotate therotating body. This enables to open/close the shutter such as afterloading the disk cartridge into the disk driving apparatus, therebyenabling to open/close the shutter without limiting the mountingdirection of the disk cartridge into the disk driving apparatus tothereby improve the versatility.

[0020] In the disk cartridge of the present invention, it is desirablethat the rotating body is engaged with a rack provided in the diskdriving apparatus and is rotated by the movement of the disk cartridgeupon loading into the disk driving apparatus.

[0021] According to such a constitution, the rotating body is engagedwith the rack provided in the disk driving apparatus and is rotated bythe movement of the disk cartridge upon loading into the disk drivingapparatus. This allows to open/close the shutter by the simpleconstitution of the fixed rack without providing the disk drivingapparatus with any specific constitution for opening/closing theshutter, thereby allowing to readily downsize the disk drivingapparatus.

[0022] In the disk cartridge of the present invention, it is desirablethat the shutter driver comprises: a shutter rack provided integrallywith the shutter; and a pinion engaged with the shutter rack and rotatedas the rotating body rotates.

[0023] According to such a constitution, there are provided, as theshutter driver, the shutter rack provided integrally with the shutter,and the pinion engaged with the shutter rack and rotated as the rotatingbody rotates. Thus, the pinion of the shutter driver is rotated as therotating body is rotated upon loading the disk device into the diskdriving apparatus such that the rack integrally provided on the shutterand engaged with the pinion is moved to thereby move the shutter,thereby allowing to obtain a constitution for opening/closing theshutter by the rotation of the rotating body by virtue of the simplestructure to thereby readily downsize the disk device and improve themanufacturability thereof.

[0024] In the disk cartridge of the present invention, it is desirablethat the shutter driver comprises: wind-up structure provided integrallywith the rotating body; a string member having one end coupled to theshutter and the other end coupled to the wind-up structure so that thestring member is wound up by the rotation of the rotating body tothereby pullingly move the shutter; and counteracting structure coupledto the shutter so as to influence a counteracting force onto the shutterin a direction opposite to the direction for pullingly moving theshutter by the string member.

[0025] According to such a constitution, the string member having oneend coupled to the shutter and the other end coupled to the wind-upstructure provided integrally with the rotating body is wound up by therotation of the rotating body to thereby pullingly move the shutterthereby opening the window, and the shutter is moved back to close thewindow by the counteracting force by the counteracting structure in adirection opposite to the direction for pullingly moving the shutterwhen the rotation of the rotating body is released. This allows toreadily obtain the constitution for opening/closing the shutter by therotation of the rotating body and to use a small-sized space foraccommodating the structure of the shutter driver therein, therebyreadily downsizing the body case.

[0026] In the disk cartridge of the present invention, it is desirablethat the disk cartridge further comprises rotation regulator disposedwithin the body case so as to separably contact with the rotating bodyto thereby restrict the rotation of the rotating body.

[0027] According to such a constitution, there is provided the rotationregulator for separably contacting with the rotating body to therebyrestrict the rotation of the rotating body. This assuredly avoids such asituation that the rotating body is inadvertently rotated to move theshutter thereby opening the window to thereby expose the disk. Thus, thedamage of the disk can be assuredly prevented.

[0028] In the disk cartridge of the present invention, it is desirablethat the rotation regulator is separated from the rotating body, uponloading of the disk cartridge into the disk driving apparatus or in astate of the disk cartridge loaded in the disk driving apparatus.

[0029] According to such a constitution, the rotation regulator isseparated from the rotating body, upon loading of the disk cartridgeinto the disk driving apparatus or in the state of the disk cartridgeloaded in the disk driving apparatus. Thus, the rotation regulatorcontacts with the rotating body in a normal state to thereby avoid themovement of the shutter due to the rotation of the rotating body, whilethe rotation regulator is separated from the rotating body to therebyallow the rotating body to rotate upon conducting the operation forrecording/reproducing the information in the disk driving apparatus,thereby resulting in that the disk is exposed only uponrecording/reproducing the information thereby allowing torecord/reproduce the information so that the disk can be assuredlyprotected in the normal state.

[0030] In the disk cartridge of the present invention, it is desirablethat the body case includes a recessed portion at an outer surface ofthe body case; and that the rotating body is positioned and disposed inthe recessed portion so as to allow an outer peripheral surface of therotating body to be contacted with the disk driving apparatus.

[0031] According to such a constitution, the body case is provided withthe recessed portion at the outer surface of the body case, and therotating body is positioned and disposed in the recessed portion so asto allow the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body to becontacted with the disk driving apparatus. This allows by a simpleconstitution: to reliably avoid inadvertent contact with the rotatingbody from the exterior; to assuredly avoid a situation where therotating body is rotated to thereby move the shutter thereby exposingthe disk; and to reliably protect the disk.

[0032] The disk device of the present invention comprises: theaforementioned disk cartridge of the present invention, and a diskrotatably accommodated within the disk cartridge.

[0033] According to such a constitution, the disk device comprises theaforementioned disk cartridge of the present invention, thereby enablingto open/close the shutter by any suitable constitution for rotating therotating body in the course of loading movement of the disk cartridgeinto the disk driving apparatus or after loading, so that theconstitution for opening/closing the shutter is not limited therebyimproving the versatility. It is also possible to exemplarily contactthe rotating body with a wall surface in the course of loading movementof the disk cartridge into the disk driving apparatus, thereby readilydownsizing the disk driving apparatus where the constitution foropening/closing the shutter can be omitted from the disk drivingapparatus or realized by the simple structure.

[0034] The present invention further provides a shutter opening/closingmechanism for opening/closing a shutter of a disk cartridge, the diskcartridge comprising: a body case capable of rotatably accommodating adisk therein; a window opened in the body case so as to expose thatsurface of the accommodated disk which is to be recorded with a piece ofinformation; and the shutter provided in the body case in a mannercapable of opening/closing the window; the shutter opening/closingmechanism comprising: a rotating body rotatably provided within the bodycase and including an exposed outer peripheral surface; shutter driverprovided within the body case and for moving the shutter by the rotationof the rotating body to thereby open/close the window; and rotatingstructure for contacting with the rotating body to thereby rotate therotating body, in a state where the disk cartridge is loaded in anoperational position for conducting at least one of operations forrecording a piece of information into the disk and reproducing theinformation recorded in the disk, or in the course of loading movementof the disk cartridge into the operational position.

[0035] According to such a constitution, in the body case of the diskcartridge capable of rotatably accommodating the disk and provided withthe shutter capable of opening/closing the window for exposing the disk,there are provided: the rotating body in the state for exposing itsouter peripheral surface; and the shutter driver for opening/closing thewindow by moving the shutter by the movement of the rotating body.Further, the rotating structure is contacted with the rotating body tothereby rotate it, in the state where the disk cartridge is loaded inthe operational position such as for recording a piece of informationinto the disk and reproducing the information recorded in the disk, orin the course of loading movement of the disk cartridge into theoperational position. This allows to adopt any suitable constitution forrotating the rotating body for opening/closing the shutter such as uponloading the disk cartridge into the operational position forrecording/reproducing the information, so that the constitution foropening/closing the shutter is no way restricted and the versatility isimproved. It is also possible to exemplarily contact the rotating bodywith a wall surface in the course of loading movement of the diskcartridge into the disk driving apparatus, thereby readily downsizingthe constitution for opening/closing the shutter such that theconstitution for opening/closing the shutter is omitted from the diskdriving apparatus for recording/reproducing the information or realizedby the simple structure.

[0036] In the shutter opening/closing mechanism of the presentinvention, it is desirable that the rotating structure comprisesrotation driver for disengageably contacting with the rotating body inthe state where the body case is loaded in the operational position, tothereby rotate the rotating body.

[0037] According to such a constitution, the rotating structurecomprises the rotation driver for disengageably contacting with therotating body in the state where the body case is loaded in theoperational position, to thereby rotate the rotating body. This enablesto open/close the shutter such as after loading the disk cartridge intothe operational position, thereby enabling to open/close the shutterwithout limiting the mounting direction of the body case into the diskdriving apparatus to thereby improve the convenience.

[0038] In the shutter opening/closing mechanism of the presentinvention, it is desirable that the rotating structure comprises a rackprovided along a moving direction of the body case into the operationalposition, the rack being engaged with the rotating body in the course ofloading movement of the body case into the operational position tothereby rotate the rotating body.

[0039] According to such a constitution, the rotating structure isconstituted by providing the rack provided along a moving direction ofthe body case into the operational position, and the rack is engagedwith the rotating body in the course of loading movement of the bodycase into the operational position to thereby rotate the rotating body.This allows to open/close the shutter by the simple constitution of thefixed rack without providing the disk driving apparatus forrecording/reproducing the information with any specific constitution foropening/closing the shutter, thereby allowing to readily downsize theconstitution for opening/closing the shutter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040]FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a partially cut-away constitution ofa disk device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041]FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the disk device;

[0042]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the diskdevice is loaded into a disk driving apparatus;

[0043]FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state where the disk device isloaded into the disk driving apparatus, in which FIG. 4(A) shows a statewhere the disk device is inserted into the disk driving apparatus, andFIG. 4(B) shows a state where the window of the loaded disk device isopened;

[0044]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where the disk deviceis about to be loaded into the disk driving apparatus;

[0045]FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a rotation restricted stateof a rotating body by rotation regulator, in which FIG. 6(A) shows therotation restricted state of the rotating body, FIG. 6(B) shows a stateterminating the rotation restriction, and FIG. 6(C) shows a state havingterminated the rotation restriction;

[0046]FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state for loading the disk deviceinto another disk driving apparatus, in which FIG. 7(A) shows a statewhere the disk device is inserted into the disk driving apparatus, andFIG. 7(B) shows a state where the window of the loaded disk device isopened;

[0047]FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a partially removed constitution ofa disk device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0048]FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a partially cut-away constitution ofa disk device according to yet another embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0049]FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a partially cut-away constitutionof a disk device according to still another embodiment of the presentinvention;

[0050]FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing an operation foropening/closing a shutter of a conventional disk device; and

[0051]FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing an operation foropening/closing a shutter of another conventional disk device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

[0052] There will be described hereinafter an embodiment of the presentinvention, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] [Structure of Disk Device]

[0054]FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a partially cut-away disk deviceaccording to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a planview showing the disk device. FIG. 3 is a partially cut-awaycross-sectional view showing the disk device in a state where it isloaded into a disk driving apparatus. FIG. 4 is an explanatory view forexplaining an opening/closing situation of a shutter, in which FIG. 4(A)is an explanatory view explaining a state just before opening a window,and FIG. 4(B) shows a state where the window is opened. FIG. 5 is aperspective view for explaining a situation where the disk device isabout to be loaded into the disk driving apparatus. FIG. 6 is anexplanatory view showing a rotation restricted state of a rotating body,in which FIG. 6(A) shows a state where the rotation of the rotating bodyis restricted, FIG. 6(B) shows a state where the rotation restriction ofthe rotating body is terminated when inserted into the disk drivingapparatus, and FIG. 6(C) shows a state where the termination of rotationrestriction of the rotating body is maintained.

[0055]FIGS. 1 through 3 show a disk device 1 comprising: a disk 2; and adisk cartridge 3 rotatably accommodating the disk 2 therein. Used as thedisk 2 is an optical disk, magnetic disk or magnet-optical disk capableof optically or magnetically recording or recorded with a piece ofinformation, such as DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) and CD-ROM (CompactDisc Read Only Memory). The disk 2 is in a substantially circular shapeformed with a substantially circular axial hole 4 in a substantiallycenter position of the disk, and is provided with a recording surface 5to be recorded with or already recorded with a piece of information onone or both of the surfaces of the disk. This embodiment is alsoapplicable to those disks each having only one-sided recording surface5.

[0056] Meanwhile, the disk cartridge 3 includes a body case 11 made of asynthetic resin. This body case 11 includes: an obverse-side case 11A ofa substantially flat box shape which opens at its one side such as theback surface side; and a reverse-side case 11B of a substantially flatbox shape which opens at its one side such as the obverse surface sideso as to close the back surface side opening of the obverse-side case11A. Defined within the body case 11 by joining the obverse-side case11A and reverse-side case 11B is a disk chamber 12 capable of rotatablyaccommodating the disk 2 therein.

[0057] Further, as shown in FIG. 4(B), the body case 111 is opened withwindows 14. These windows 14 are formed in substantially the same shapesso as to open at positions such as corresponding to the obverse-sidecase 11A and reverse-side case 11B, respectively. Each window 14 is in asubstantially rectangular shape opened to expose the disk 2 accommodatedwithin the disk chamber 12 in an area from the outer periphery of thedisk 2 toward the periphery of the central axial hole 4 of the disk 2,and is opened over a region from the substantial center of the body case11 toward the midsection of one edge portion of the body case. Further,the obverse surface and reverse surface of the body case 11 are providedwith sliding recesses 15 in substantially rectangular recessed shapes,respectively, over a region from the substantial center including thewindow 14 toward the one side edge of the body case.

[0058] The windows 14 may have appropriate shapes such that: each windowhas a size to expose only the portion of the recording surface 5 of thedisk 2 such as in an MD (Mini Disk); only one window is opened in thatsurface of the body case 11 which opposes to the recording surface 5disposed at only one surface of the disk 2; or one and the other windowsare in the shapes opened to expose only the recording surface 5 on onesurface side and to expose an region from the vicinity of the axial hole4 toward the recording surface 5 on the other surface side,respectively. In the situation where only the recording surface 5 isexposed, the body case 11 is to be provided with a hole so as torotatingly drive the disk 2 by bringing the periphery of the axial hole4 of the disk 2 into a state exposed to the exterior.

[0059] As shown in FIGS. 1 through 6, on the outer surface at thereverse surface of the reverse-side case 11B, the body case 11 isprovided with an operational-position determining groove 17 over aregion from one edge side of the body case 11 where the window 14 isopened toward the opposing other edge side of the body case. Thisoperational-position determining groove 17 is provided with guidingportions 17A in the states outwardly spreading at the one edge portionand other edge portion of the body case 11, respectively. As shown inFIG. 3, this operational-position determining groove 17 is formed in anopened state continued into the interior of the body case 11.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 3 through 6, the operational-positiondetermining groove 17 is engaged in a slidable and disengageable mannerwith a guiding rib 19 disposed in a disk driving apparatus (not shown)for loading the disk device 1 therein so as to record a piece ofinformation into and reproduce a piece of recorded information from thedisk 2. This guiding rib 19 is disposed on a movement guiding member 20disposed in the disk driving apparatus so as to constitute a movementpath for transferring and moving therethrough the disk device 1 insertedvia insertion opening (not shown). This movement guiding member 20 isformed to have a substantially channel shaped cross section to include:a carrying plate 20A for carrying the disk device 1 thereon; and a pairof guiding rails 20B opposing to each other at substantially the samewidth dimension as the maximum width dimension of the disk device 1 soas to allow the disk device 1 to move between the guiding rails. Theguiding rib 19 is protruded into a longitudinal rib shape in thedirection for moving the disk device 1, at the position on the carryingplate 20A of the movement guiding member 20 and closer to the insertionopening. The guiding rib 19 is formed into a so-called tapered orconverged shape having a tip end of a smaller diameter by chamferingboth tip ends and both longitudinal edges of the guiding rib, and in asubstantially ellipse shape in a plan view.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4 and 5, the body case 11 is providedwith a shutter body 25 in a moveable manner. This shutter body 25exemplarily comprises: a shutter 26 made of metal such as an aluminumalloy or made of a synthetic resin; and a shutter rack 27 providedintegrally with the shutter 26.

[0062] The shutter 26 is formed into a substantially deep channel shapedcross section to include: a pair of cover plate portions 26A; and acoupling plate portion 26B for integrally and continuously couplingthese cover plate portions 26A. Each cover plate portion 26A is formedinto a rectangular shape adapted to be moveably positioned within thesliding recess 15 so as to cover substantially half the surface of thesliding recess 15 to thereby close the window 14. The coupling plateportion 26B integrally and continuously joins longitudinal one ends ofthe cover plate portions 26A together. The shutter 26 is provided tostraddle the body case 11 from the sliding recess 15 of the obverse-sidecase 11A to the sliding recess 15 of the reverse-side case 11B.

[0063] The shutter rack 27 is formed into an elongated rod shape by thecoupling plate portion 26B. This shutter rack 27 is provided integrallywith the coupling plate portion 26B, in a manner extended into adirection opposite to the direction through which the shutter 26 ismoved within the sliding recess 15, in a state where the shutter 26closes the engaged with the first pinion 36 and with the rack 27A of theshutter rack 27. This shutter driver 35 is to move the shutter body 25provided with the shutter rack 27 engaged with the second pinion 37, byrotating the first pinion 36 in the direction opposite to the rotatingbody 30 and by rotating the second pinion 37 in the same direction asthe rotating body 30, when the rotating body 30 is rotated. Note, thesefirst pinion 36 and second pinion 37 may be rotatably pivoted in thesame manner as the rotating body 30 by any means.

[0064] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6, provided within the body case 11and near the rotating body 30 is rotation regulator 40 for restrictingthe rotation of the rotating body 30. This rotation regulator 40 isexemplarily formed of an elastically deformable synthetic resin, andincludes a body part 40A in a rectangular column shape. This body part40A has its longitudinal one end rotatable in the direction to contactwith and depart from the outer periphery of the rotating body 30, bypivoting the other end of the body part 40A to the body case 11. Thispivotable supporting may be achieved in the same manner as the rotatingbody 30 by any means.

[0065] Protruded from the surface of the axial one end portion of thebody part 40A is a rotation regulating pawl 40B for opposing to theouter peripheral surface of the rotating body 30. This rotationregulating pawl 40B is formed into a substantially wedge shape in amanner engageable with and disengageable from the gear teeth 30A at theouter peripheral surface of the rotating body 30.

[0066] Provided at the axial other end of the body part 40A of therotation regulator 40 is an elongated rotation restricting portion 40Calong the axial direction. This rotation restricting portion 40C isprovided in a state where the tip end portion of the rotationrestricting portion 40C abuts on a positioning convex portion 42protruded within the body case 11 at a position opposite to the positionwhere the rotation regulator 40 is rotatably provided, with respect tothe operational-position determining groove 17. As shown in FIG. 6, thisrotation restricting portion 40C is formed to be capable of stridingover the positioning convex portion 42 by elastically deforming initself by abutting onto the guiding rib 19 disposed in the disk drivingapparatus in a state where the rotation restricting portion 40C abuts onthe positioning convex portion 42. Note, this rotation restrictingportion 40C may be constituted of a member separate from the body part40A such that only the rotation restricting portion 40C is formed of anelastically deformable member integrally attached to the body part 40A.

[0067] The rotation regulator 40 is provided with a torsion coil spring43 as urging structure for urging the rotation regulating pawl 40B in adirection for normally engaging with the rotating body 30. The rotationregulator is not limited to the torsion coil spring 43, and may beexemplarily constituted of any elastic member such as a leaf spring orrubber for urging the rotation regulating pawl 40B of the rotationregulator 40 in a direction for normally engaging with the rotating body30.

[0068] This rotation regulator 40 is constituted such that the rotationregulating pawl 40B thereof is engaged with the gear teeth 30A at theouter peripheral surface of the rotating body 30 to thereby restrict therotation of the rotating body 30 in a normal state by the restoringforce comprising the urging force of the torsion coil spring 43 as shownin FIG. 6(A) such that the shutter 26 of the shutter body 25 closes thewindow 14 as shown in FIG. 4(A).

[0069] Upon loading the disk device 1 into the disk driving apparatus,the guiding rib 19 engages with the operational-position determininggroove 17 and relatively moves within the operational-positiondetermining groove 17 as the disk device 1 moves, thereby rendering therotation restricting portion 40C to abut onto the positioning convexportion 42. Further movement of the disk device 1 causes the rotationregulator 40 to elastically deform as shown in FIG. 6(B) and then tostride over the positioning convex portion 42. In this state, therotating body 30 falls into a state for engaging with an operation rack45 acting as rotating structure disposed on the guiding rail 20B of themovement guiding member 20 of the disk driving apparatus along themoving direction of the disk device 1 shown in FIG. 4(A).

[0070] Further movement of the disk device 1 causes the guiding rib 19to pass through the rotation restricting portion 40C and then causes therotation regulator 40 to be rotated by the restoring force of thetorsion coil spring 43, as shown in FIG. 6(C). In this state, therotation restricting portion 40C again abuts onto the positioning convexportion 42, so that the rotation regulating pawl 40B is held, withoutengaging with the rotating body 30, in a state of a free rotation of therotating body 30, i.e., in a state where the rotating body 30 is rotatedby the operation rack 45 as the rotating body 30 moves. These rotatingbody 30, shutter driver 35 and the operation rack 45 as the rotatingstructure cooperatively constitute a shutter opening/closing mechanism48.

[0071] [Operation of Disk Device]

[0072] There will be explained hereinafter the operation of the diskdevice 1 of the above embodiment.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the disk device 1 is positioned in astate where the shutter 26 of the shutter body 25 closes the window 14,in a normal unused state. In this state, the rotation regulating pawl40B of the rotation regulator 40 engages with the gear teeth 30A at theouter peripheral surface of the rotating body 30 by the restoring forceof the torsion coil spring 43 as shown in FIG. 6(A), to thereby restrictthe rotation of the rotating body 30 such that the rotating body 30 isnot rotated even by an action onto the rotating body 30 from theexterior. This avoids such a situation that the shutter body 25 isinadvertently moved to open the window 14 to thereby expose therecording surface 5 of the disk 2.

[0074] Upon using the disk device 1, i.e., upon recording a piece ofinformation into or reproducing the recorded information from the disk 2by the disk driving apparatus, the disk device 1 is inserted into theinsertion opening (not shown) of the disk driving apparatus, whileheading the shutter body 25 side of the disk device 1. This insertioncauses the guiding rib 19 disposed at the movement guiding member 20 ofthe disk driving apparatus to engage with the operational-positiondetermining groove 17. When the guiding rib 19 engages with theoperational-position determining groove 17, the guiding rib 19 is guidedby the guiding portion 17A at the end portion of theoperational-position determining groove 17. The guiding rib 19 issmoothly guided, since the tip end portion of the guiding rib 19 isformed into the converged shape by chamfering the tip ends of theguiding rib and in the substantially ellipse shape in the plan view.This allows the guiding rib 19 to assuredly engage with theoperational-position determining groove 17 even when the disk device 1is inserted in a slightly tilted manner, thereby allowing to dulyposition the disk device 1. Note, it is possible to avoid an erroneousinsertion of the disk device 1, because the guiding rib 19 abuts ontothe peripheral surface of the body case 11 when the disk device 1 wasinserted into the insertion opening in an upside-down manner or a mannerheading a portion other than the shutter body 25 side.

[0075] Further insertion of the disk device 1 in a forcible manner in asituation where the guiding rib 19 has engaged with theoperational-position determining groove 17, causes the guiding rib 19 torelatively move within the operational-position determining groove 17 tothereby abut onto the rotation restricting portion 40C of the rotationregulator 40 as the disk device 1 is moved, thereby rotating therotation regulator 40 against the restoring force of the torsion coilspring 43. Further movement of the disk device 1 in its insertingdirection causes the rotation restricting portion 40C to abut onto thepositioning convex portion 42 so that the rotation restricting portion40C is deformed to yield against its elasticity as shown in FIG. 6(B).Further movement of the disk device 1 in its inserting direction causesthe rotation restricting portion 40C to stride over the positioningconvex portion 42. In this state, the rotating body 30 engages with theoperation rack 45 of the movement guiding member 20 of the disk drivingapparatus as shown in FIG. 4(A).

[0076] Movement of the disk device 1 in its inserting direction, in thestate where the rotating body 30 engages with the operation rack 45,brings about a situation where the operation rack 45 relatively moves onthe outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 30 correspondingly tothe movement of the disk device 1, so that the rotating body 30 isrotated. This rotation of the rotating body 30 rotates the first pinion36 and second pinion 37 of the shutter driver 35, so that the shutterbody 25 having the shutter rack 27 engaged with the second pinion 37 ismoved within the sliding recess 15 toward the rotating body 30 side.When the rotating body 30 is to be engaged with the operation rack 45and to be rotated by the same, the guiding rib 19 prevents the diskdevice 1 from being moved in a direction separated from the operationrack 45. Thus, the engaging state between the rotating body 30 andoperation rack 45 can be assuredly maintained, so that the rotating body30 is assuredly rotated by the operation rack 45 with the movement ofthe rotating body.

[0077] While the rotating body 30 is rotated and the shutter body 25 ismoved by the insertion of the disk device 1, the guiding rib 19 furthermoves within the operational-position determining groove 17 relativethereto and passes through the rotation restricting portion 40C as shownin FIG. 6(C). The passage of the guiding rib 19 through the rotationrestricting portion 40C causes the rotation regulator 40 to rotate bythe restoring force of the torsion coil spring 43, so that the rotationrestricting portion 40C again abuts onto the positioning convex portion42 to thereby restrict the rotational movement of the rotation regulator40. In this state, the rotation regulating pawl 40B of the rotationregulator 40 never engages with the rotating body 30, so that therotation of the rotating body 30 by the operation rack 45 is maintainedto thereby move the shutter body 25 with the insertion of the diskdevice 1.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 4(B), the disk device 1 having been moved to apredetermined position, i.e., the operational position for recording apiece of information and/or reproducing the recorded information, isbrought into a state where the window 14 is fully opened to therebyexpose the recording surface 5 and the periphery of axial hole 4 of thedisk 2. Then, the rotation shaft (not shown) of the disk drivingapparatus is inserted into the axial hole 4 of the disk device 1 andfixed thereto, so as to rotate the disk 2 by the rotation of therotation shaft, thereby exemplarily conducting an operation forrecording a piece of information and/or reproducing the information.

[0079] There will be explained hereinafter a situation for operating thedisk device 1 in another disk driving apparatus. Such a disk drivingapparatus exemplarily includes a constitution shown in FIG. 7.

[0080] Namely, reference numeral 51 in FIG. 7 designates a movementguiding member, and this movement guiding member 51 is formed into asubstantially channel shaped cross section to include a carrying plate51 A and a pair of guiding rails 51 B, in substantially the same shapeas the movement guiding member 20 of the disk driving apparatus shown inFIG. 4 and FIG. 5.

[0081] The carrying plate 51A is provided with positioning ribs 52protruded at the side of the moving direction of the disk device 1 so asto position the inserted disk device 1 at the operational position tothereby restrict the further movement of the disk device 1. The carryingplate 51A is protruded with a pair of guiding pins 53 engaged with theoperational-position determining groove 17, instead of the singularelongated guiding rib 19 of the disk driving apparatus shown in FIGS. 4and 5. These guiding pins 53 are protruded at positions deviated fromthe position corresponding to the sliding recess 15, in a state wherethe disk device 1 has been positioned by abutting onto the positioningribs 52.

[0082] One of the guiding rails 51B is cut out and formed with a cut-out55, instead of the operation rack 45 of the guiding rail 20B of the diskdriving apparatus shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This cut-out 55 is disposed ata position opposing to the rotating body 30 in a state where the diskdevice 1 has been positioned by abutting onto the positioning ribs 52.

[0083] The disk driving apparatus is provided with rotation driver 60 asthe rotating structure. This rotation driver 60 includes a seat portion61. This seat portion 61 is disposed within the disk driving apparatusin a manner capable of moving to and from, i.e., approaching anddeparting from a position adjacent to the movement guiding member 51 tothereby face to the cut-out 55.

[0084] The seat portion 61 is integrally provided with an electric motor62 as driving source. This electric motor 62 has its output shaft 62Aintegrally provided with a driving gear 63. Further, rotatably pivotedto the seat portion 61 is a drive transmission gear 64 engaged with thedriving gear 63. This drive transmission gear 64 can be rotatablypivoted in any means, identically with the rotating body 30.

[0085] When the disk device 1 is to be operated by the disk drivingapparatus shown in FIG. 7, the disk device 1 is inserted into theinsertion opening (not shown) of the disk driving apparatus whileheading the shutter body 25 side of the disk device, identically withthe situation where the disk device is operated by the disk drivingapparatus shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This insertion causes the guiding pins53 disposed on the movement guiding member 51 of the disk drivingapparatus to be guided by and engaged with the guiding portion 17A ofthe operational-position determining groove 17, to thereby position thedisk device 1.

[0086] Further insertion of the disk device 1 in a forcible manner in asituation where the guiding pins 53 have engaged with theoperational-position determining groove 17, causes the guiding pins 53to relatively move within the operational-position determining groove 17to thereby rotate the rotation regulator 40 thereby terminating therotation restriction of the rotating body 30, identically with thesituation for operating the disk device by the disk driving apparatusshown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0087] Further movement of the disk device 1 in its inserting directionin the state where the rotation restriction of the rotating body 30 hasbeen terminated, causes the disk device 1 to abut onto the positioningribs 52 so that the further movement of the disk device is restrictedand thus the disk device 1 is positioned. By recognizing thispositioning such as by a sensor or switch, the rotation driver 60 isintegrally moved to a position adjacent to the movement guiding member51, so as to engage the drive transmission gear 64 with the rotatingbody 30 of the positioned disk device 1 facing to the cut-out 55. Inthis state, the electric motor 62 is driven to thereby rotate thedriving gear 63 together with the output shaft 62A, so that the drivetransmission gear 64 is rotated by the driving gear 63. This rotation ofthe drive transmission gear 64 rotates the rotating body 30 so that theshutter body 25 is moved to thereby open the window 14 thereby exposingthe recording surface 5 of the disk 2, identically with the disk drivingapparatus shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0088] [Effect of Disk Device]

[0089] As described above, the above embodiment exhibits the followingfunctions and effects.

[0090] Namely, the disk device 1 is provided by rotatably accommodatingthe disk 2 in the disk cartridge 3 in which the body case 11 capable ofrotatably accommodating therein the disk 2 is opened with the windows 14for exposing the recording surfaces 5 of the disk 2 recorded with theinformation and the shutter body 25 is provided in a manner capable ofopening/closing the window 14. In a state where the disk device 1 hasbeen loaded in the disk driving apparatus for recording a piece ofinformation into and/or reproducing the information recorded in the disk2 or in the course of moving the disk device 1 into the operationalposition, the rotating body 30 rotatably provided within the body case11 in a state for exposing the outer peripheral surface of the rotatingbody is contacted with and rotated by the operation rack 45 of themovement guiding member 20 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 or the drivetransmission gear 64 of the rotation driver 60 shown in FIG. 7 so thatthe shutter body 25 is moved by rotation of the rotating body 30 by theshutter driver 35 disposed within the body case 11 to thereby open/closethe window 14. This enables to open/close the window 14 even by theoperation rack 45 and rotation driver 60 having mutually differentconstitutions by rotating the rotating body 30 to thereby move theshutter body 25 in the course of loading movement of the disk deviceinto the disk driving apparatus or after the loading of the disk device,so that the constitution for opening/closing the shutter body 25 is notlimited, thereby allowing to improve the versatility.

[0091] It is possible to rotate the rotating body 30 such as bycontacting it with the operation rack 45 disposed on the wall surface orsimply with the inner surface of the guiding rail 20B in the course ofloading movement into the disk driving apparatus as shown in FIGS. 4 and5, thereby readily downsizing and lightening the disk driving apparatuswhere the constitution for opening/closing the shutter body 25 isomitted from the disk driving apparatus or realized by the operationrack 45 of a simple structure.

[0092] Then, the gear shape of the rotating body 30 allows to readilyutilize a general constitution adopting a rack and pinion constitutionfor converting the rotation of the rotating body 30 into the linearmovement of the shutter body 25, to thereby simplify the constitutionfor opening/closing the shutter body 25, thereby allowing to readilyimprove the manufacturability and realize lightening and downsizing.Further, the rotating body 30 can be assuredly rotated such as by a gearor rack without slippage, thereby allowing to efficiently and assuredlyopen/close the shutter body 25.

[0093] Provided as the shutter driver 35 are: the shutter rack 27integrally provided on the shutter body 25; and the first pinion 36 andsecond pinion 37 engaged with the rack 27A of the shutter rack 27 androtated with the rotation of the rotating body 30. Thus, the firstpinion 36 and second pinion 37 of the shutter driver 35 are rotated asthe rotating body 30 is rotated upon loading the disk device 1 into thedisk driving apparatus such that the rack 27A integrally provided on theshutter body 25 and engaged with the second pinion 37 is moved tothereby move the shutter body 25, thereby allowing to obtain aconstitution for opening/closing the shutter body 25 by the rotation ofthe rotating body 30 by virtue of the simple structure to therebyreadily downsize the disk device 1 and improve the manufacturabilitythereof.

[0094] There is provided the rotation regulator 40 for separablycontacting with the rotating body 30 to thereby restrict the rotation ofthe rotating body 30. This assuredly avoids such a situation that therotating body 30 is inadvertently rotated in a normal state to move theshutter body 25 thereby opening the window 14 to thereby expose the disk2. Thus, the damage of the disk 2 can be assuredly prevented.

[0095] The rotation regulator 40 is disengaged from the rotating body30: in the course of loading movement into the disk driving apparatuswhich utilizes the disk device 1; and in the state where the disk device1 has been loaded in the disk driving apparatus. Thus, the rotationregulator 40 contacts with the rotating body 30 in a normal state tothereby avoid the movement of the shutter body 25 due to the rotation ofthe rotating body 30, while the rotation regulator 40 is separated fromthe rotating body 30 to thereby allow the rotating body 30 to rotateupon conducting the operation for recording/reproducing the informationin the disk driving apparatus, thereby resulting in that the disk 2 isexposed only upon recording/reproducing the information thereby allowingto record/reproduce the information so that the disk 2 can be assuredlyprotected in the normal state.

[0096] The body case 11 is provided with the operational-positiondetermining groove 17 for slidably engaging with the guiding rib 19 andguiding pin 53 disposed on the movement guiding members 20 and 51 of thedisk driving apparatus, respectively. This allows to avoid a situationwhere the disk device 1 is caused to laterally escape by that actingforce from the lateral side which rotates the rotating body 30 so as tomove the shutter body 25. This allows to assuredly move the shutter body25 to thereby open/close the window 14.

[0097] Further, the rotating body 30 is constituted to be assuredlyacted by the operating force while the guiding rib 19 or guiding pin 53of the disk driving apparatus is protruded into the operational-positiondetermining groove 17 disposed on the body case 11. This eliminates anyprotruded constitution of the disk device 1 to thereby promote theoperability thereof, while allowing to exemplarily determine theinserting orientation of the disk device 1 in each disk drivingapparatus, i.e., to avoid an erroneous insertion of the disk device 1into the disk driving apparatus such as in an opposite or differentorientation.

[0098] Further, the operational-position determining groove 17 isdisposed at the position near the rotating body 30, thereby assuredlypreventing the disk device 1 from moving in an escaping manner, ascompared with a situation where the disk device 1 is duly positioned bythe pair of guiding rails 20B of the movement guiding member 20 or 51correspondingly to the width dimension of the body case 11 having arelatively large tolerance for dimension. This allows to obtain a statewhere the rotating body 30 is assuredly engaged such as with theoperation rack 45 or rotation driver 60, so that the rotating body 30 isassuredly rotated to thereby allow to openingly/closingly move theshutter body 25 in a reliable manner. Namely, the location forpositioning the disk device 1 in its readily escaping direction iscloser to the cooperating guiding rail 20B, than the location of theremaining guiding rail 20B for otherwise positioning the disk device 1in its readily escaping direction. This allows to reduce dispersion ofmoving distances in the escaping direction of the disk device 1, tothereby obtain a situation where the rotating body 30 is assuredlyengaged with the rotating structure.

[0099] Moreover, the rotation driver 60 disposed on the disk drivingapparatus is disengageably contacted with the rotating body 30 and thenrotated, thereby allowing to open/close the shutter body 25 having beenloaded into the disk driving apparatus such as shown in FIG. 7. Thus,unlike the conventional constitution exemplarily shown in FIGS. 11 and12, the loading direction of the disk device 1 into the disk drivingapparatus is never limited, such as by appropriately setting thearranged position and/or moving direction of the rotation driver 60, tothereby improve the versatility.

[0100] Meanwhile, the rotating body 30 is engaged with the operationrack 45 disposed in the disk driving apparatus and is rotated by themovement of the disk device upon loading the disk device 1 into the diskdriving apparatus. This allows to open/close the shutter body 25 by thesimple constitution of the fixed operation rack 45 without providing thedisk driving apparatus with any specific constitution foropening/closing the shutter body 25, thereby allowing to readilydownsize the disk driving apparatus.

[0101] [Variation of Embodiment]

[0102] The present invention is not limited to the aforementionedembodiment, and embraces variations within a scope capable of achievingthe object of the present invention.

[0103] Namely, the disk device 1 of the present invention is applicableto any disk 2 capable of reproducing and/or recording a piece ofinformation.

[0104] Further, the disk device 1 is not limited to accommodate the disk2 therein, and is utilized as the disk cartridge 3 for removablyaccommodating the disk 2.

[0105] The rotation regulator 40 is not limited to the constitution forengaging its rotation regulating pawl 40B with the rotating body 30 tothereby restrict the rotation of the rotating body. Namely, the rotationregulator may include any constitution for restricting the rotation suchas by pressure-contacting, and may be even omitted.

[0106] The shutter driver 35 is not limited to the first pinion 36 andsecond pinion 37, and may be realized by a constitution such as shown inFIG. 8. Namely, FIG. 8 shows shutter driver 70 including a string member71 having one end coupled to the shutter 26 and the other end coupled tothe rotation shaft 30B of the rotating body 30 acting as windupstructure. This string member 71 is wound around a pulley 72 positionedin the moving direction of the shutter body 25 within the body case 11and disposed in a rotatable manner. Provided at the opposite side to theextending direction of the string member 71 is a coil spring 73 ascounteracting structure. This coil spring 73 is provided in a state forinfluencing a pulling force as a restoring force onto the shutter 26 ofthe shutter body 25 so as to bring it into a normally closed state.

[0107] In the constitution shown in FIG. 8, the string member 71 iswound up onto the rotation shaft 30B by the rotation of the rotatingbody 30 so as to pullingly moving the shutter body 25 against thepulling force as the restoring force of the coil spring 73, to therebyopen the window 14. In case of closing the window 14, the shutter body25 is moved by the restoring force of the coil spring 73 by releasingthe tensile force acting on the string member 71, such as by disengagingthe operation rack 45 or the drive transmission gear 64 of the rotationdriver 60 from the rotating body 30 or by driving the electric motorinto a state for reversely rotating the drive transmission gear 64.

[0108] The constitution shown in FIG. 8 allows to readily provide theshutter driver 70 within the body case 11 without interfering with thedisk 2, thereby downsizing the disk device 1. Note, the wind-upstructure and rotating body may be constituted in any suitable manner,such as by forming them into a bobbin comprising the rotation shaft 30Bprovided with a pair of flange-like collars at both ends, respectively,such that the collars act as the rotating body, and such that thewind-up structure includes a wind-up area comprising the outerperipheral surface area of the rotation shaft 30B between the collars.The bobbin shape allows the string member 71 to be reliably wound up bythe wind-up structure to thereby avoid such a situation that the stringmember 71 is disengaged from the rotation shaft 30B and jammed tothereby stop the movement of the shutter body 25 and/or to therebydamage the string member 71.

[0109] Further, the shutter driver may be achieved: by exemplarilyadopting a plurality of pinions 77 as shown in FIG. 9 such that threepinions 77 constitute shutter driver 78 for moving the shutter body 25into the opposite or faraway direction by transmitting the rotation ofthe rotating body 30 to the shutter rack 27 via pinions 77; by movingthe shutter body by adopting pulleys and an endless belt; or by movingthe shutter body by combining these pulleys and endless belt with thepinions 77.

[0110] It is not limited to adopt the guiding rib 19 and guiding pins 53such as in the shape of rib and pin, respectively, and it is possible toadopt members in any shape including a wall shape capable of positioningor to provide a plurality of members like the guiding pins 53.

[0111] Further, the rotating structure has been explained to beconstituted of the rotation driver 60 including the seat portion 61provided with the electric motor 62 having the driving gear 63 and withthe drive transmission gear 64 for engaging with and disengaging fromthe rotating body 30 such that the seat portion and gears are integrallymoved to engage the drive transmission gear with the rotating body 30.However, it is constitutionally possible that the rotating structure isnot moved and is previously disposed in a position for engaging with adisk device, and the disk device is to be engaged with the drivetransmission gear when the disk device is inserted into the disk drivingapparatus so that the rotation restriction of the rotating body is dulyterminated and the disk device is moved to a predetermined position suchas the operational position. Moreover, the driving gear 63 has beenengaged with the drive transmission gear 64 so as to rotate the rotatingbody 30. However, the rotating body 30 can be rotated by any suitableconstitution such as by: providing the output shaft 62A with a pulleyand providing the drive transmission gear with a drive transmissionpulley to thereby put an endless belt around these pulleys; directlyengaging the driving gear 63 with the rotating body 30; or providing alooped belt gear comprising an endless belt having a toothed outerperipheral surface so as to engage this belt gear with the rotating body30.

[0112] The outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 30 has beenprovided to be protruded and exposed from the outer edge of the bodycase 11. However, it is possible to provide the rotating body 30 in astate exemplarily shown in FIG. 10 by providing protector 81 forcovering the rotating body 30 in an axial direction such that therotating body 30 is not protruded beyond the outer edge of the body case11 but the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body 30 is exposedto the exterior.

[0113] Namely, as shown in FIG. 10, the body case 11 is provided with arecessed portion 82 in a shape of recessed groove along the length ofits one side surface in the inserting direction of the body case 11. Therotating body 30 is provided in a state where the outer peripheralsurface of the rotating body is not protruded beyond the edge portion ofthe recessed portion 82 but positioned within the recessed portion 82.In this state, the side wall portions defining the recessed portion 82serve as the protector 81. The operation rack 45 is formed to have awidth dimension capable of moving within the recessed portion 82. Uponinsertion into the disk driving apparatus, the operation rack 45 isbrought into a state for relatively moving within the recessed portion82 so that the operation rack 45 engages with the rotating body 30 tothereby rotate the same, thereby opening/closing the window 14 by theshutter body 25.

[0114] The constitution shown in FIG. 10 allows: to avoid inadvertentcontact with the rotating body 30 from the exterior such as by hand; toavoid an inadvertent rotation and damage of the rotating body 30; and torestrict the rotation of the rotating body 30 by a simple structure evenwithout providing a specific constitution such as the rotation regulator40. Further, the rotating body 30 is not protruded, thereby allowing toimprove the external appearance. Note, the recessed portion 82 is notrestricted to the constitution to be provided over the entire length ofthe one side surface of the body case 11. Namely, the recessed portionmay be limited to only that area where the rotating body 30 is located,when the rotation driver 60 is exclusively utilized as the rotatingstructure of the disk driving apparatus without adopting the operationrack 45. In such a situation, the protector constituted of the recessedportion 82 may be also limited to only that area where the rotating body30 is located.

[0115] The disk driving apparatus may be achieved by any suitableconstitution such as by directly loading or placing the disk device 1onto an operational position without providing the movement guidingmembers 20, 51, or by plurally providing the movement guiding members20, 51.

[0116] Although the operational-position determining groove 17 has beenexplained to be provided, it is not impossible to omit it. Nonetheless,in case that the rotating body 30 is rotated such as by engagement of agear or by pressure-contact to thereby move the shutter 26 by thisrotation such that the rotating body 30 is provided at a side surface ofthe body case 11 in the moving direction of the body case 11, therotating structure is rendered to laterally engage or pressure-contactwith the rotating body so that the body case together with the rotatingbody particularly tends to be laterally forced in an escaping mannerthereby tending to fail to obtain a sufficient rotation of the rotatingbody, which sufficient rotation is to be inherently provided by theinserting movement of the body case or disk device. Thus, in case ofadopting the rotating body 30, it is preferable to engage the guidingrib 19 or guiding pin 53 with the operational-position determininggroove 17 particularly provided near the rotating body 30.

[0117] The operational-position determining groove 17 and the guidingrib 19 and guiding pin 53 have been provided in the body case 11 andmovement guiding members 20, 51, respectively. However, it is possibleto adopt an exchanged or reverse constitution, and the concave andconvex may be in any suitable shapes capable of engaging with anddisengaging from each other to thereby conduct positioning. Further, thepositioning constitution may be achieved such as by positioning the diskdevice 1 between the guiding rails 20B of the movement guiding member20, without providing the disk device 1 with a specific constitutionsuch as the operational-position determining groove 17.

[0118] In addition, the concrete structure and procedures such as uponpracticing the present invention may be modified or altered to otherones insofar as the object of the present invention is achieved.

What is claimed is:
 1. A disk cartridge capable of rotatablyaccommodating therein a disk so as to be loaded into a disk drivingapparatus for conducting at least one of operations for recording apiece of information into the disk and reproducing the informationrecorded in the disk, said disk cartridge comprising: a body casecapable of rotatably accommodating the disk therein; a window opened insaid body case so as to expose that surface of the accommodated diskwhich is to be or has been recorded with the piece of information; ashutter provided in said body case in a manner capable ofopening/closing said window; a rotating body rotatably provided withinsaid body case and including an outer peripheral surface exposed fromsaid body case so as to be contacted with and rotated by the diskdriving apparatus, in a state where said disk cartridge is loaded in thedisk driving apparatus or in the course of loading movement of said diskcartridge into the disk driving apparatus; and shutter driver providedwithin said body case and for moving said shutter by the rotation ofsaid rotating body to thereby open/close said window.
 2. A diskcartridge according to claim 1, wherein said rotating body comprises agear.
 3. A disk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said rotatingbody is disengageably contacted with and rotated by rotating structureprovided in the disk driving apparatus.
 4. A disk cartridge according toclaim 2, wherein said rotating body is engaged with a rack provided inthe disk driving apparatus and is rotated by the movement of said diskcartridge upon loading into the disk driving apparatus.
 5. A diskcartridge according to claim 1, wherein said shutter driver comprises: ashutter rack provided integrally with said shutter; and a pinion engagedwith said shutter rack and rotated as said rotating body rotates.
 6. Adisk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said shutter drivercomprises: wind-up structure provided integrally with said rotatingbody; a string member having one end coupled to said shutter and theother end coupled to said wind-up structure so that said string memberis wound up by the rotation of said rotating body to thereby pullinglymove said shutter; and counteracting structure coupled to said shutterso as to influence a counteracting force onto said shutter in adirection opposite to the direction for pullingly moving said shutter bysaid string member.
 7. A disk cartridge according to claim 1, furthercomprising: rotation regulator disposed within said body case so as toseparably contact with said rotating body to thereby restrict therotation of said rotating body.
 8. A disk cartridge according to claim7, wherein said rotation regulator is separated from said rotating body,upon loading of said disk cartridge into the disk driving apparatus orin a state of said disk cartridge loaded in the disk driving apparatus.9. A disk cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said body caseincludes a recessed portion at an outer surface of said body case; andwherein said rotating body is positioned and disposed in said recessedportion so as to allow an outer peripheral surface of said rotating bodyto be contacted with the disk driving apparatus.
 10. A disk devicecomprising: a disk cartridge recited in claim 1; and a disk rotatablyaccommodated within said disk cartridge.
 11. A disk device comprising: adisk cartridge recited in claim 2; and a disk rotatably accommodatedwithin said disk cartridge.
 12. A disk device comprising: a diskcartridge recited in claim 3; and a disk rotatably accommodated withinsaid disk cartridge.
 13. A disk device comprising: a disk cartridgerecited in claim 4; and a disk rotatably accommodated within said diskcartridge.
 14. A disk device comprising: a disk cartridge recited inclaim 5; and a disk rotatably accommodated within said disk cartridge.15. A disk device comprising: a disk cartridge recited in claim 6; and adisk rotatably accommodated within said disk cartridge.
 16. A diskdevice comprising: a disk cartridge recited in claim 7; and a diskrotatably accommodated within said disk cartridge.
 17. A disk devicecomprising: a disk cartridge recited in claim 8; and a disk rotatablyaccommodated within said disk cartridge.
 18. A disk device comprising: adisk cartridge recited in claim 9; and a disk rotatably accommodatedwithin said disk cartridge.
 19. A shutter opening/closing mechanism foropening/closing a shutter of a disk cartridge, the disk cartridgecomprising: a body case capable of rotatably accommodating a disktherein; a window opened in the body case so as to expose that surfaceof the accommodated disk which is to be recorded with a piece ofinformation; and the shutter provided in the body case in a mannercapable of opening/closing the window; said shutter opening/closingmechanism comprising: a rotating body rotatably provided within the bodycase and including an exposed outer peripheral surface; shutter driverprovided within the body case and for moving the shutter by the rotationof the rotating body to thereby open/close the window; and rotatingstructure for contacting with said rotating body to thereby rotate saidrotating body, in a state where the disk cartridge is loaded in anoperational position for conducting at least one of operations forrecording a piece of information into the disk and reproducing theinformation recorded in the disk, or in the course of loading movementof the disk cartridge into the operational position.
 20. A shutteropening/closing mechanism according to claim 19, wherein said rotatingstructure comprises rotation driver for disengageably contacting withsaid rotating body in the state where the body case is loaded in theoperational position, to thereby rotate said rotating body.
 21. Ashutter opening/closing mechanism according to claim 19, wherein saidrotating structure comprises a rack provided along a moving direction ofthe body case into the operational position, said rack being engagedwith said rotating body in the course of loading movement of the bodycase into the operational position to thereby rotate said rotating body.